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CFMEU office bomb threat a hoax: police

Melissa Iaria

Police have linked a hoax bomb threat at the Melbourne office of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) to its dispute with builder Grocon.

The incident came ahead of mediation talks this week with the union and Grocon agreeing to a ceasefire after a bitter 16-day dispute.

The threat, contained in a letter sent to the union, caused 100 people to be evacuated from the CFMEU's city office in Swanston Street and halted trams.

Police were alerted just after 10am (AEST) on Monday of the letter stating that a bomb was in the building, but a search of the premises found no threat.

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They linked the letter to the dispute with Grocon and said information in it, including names of certain identities, led police to believe the threat was legitimate.

"We tied the information into the dispute which has been happening with a fairly high level of media activity through the last two or three weeks," Acting Senior Sergeant Kelvin Gale told reporters on Monday.

"The CFMEU and some of the identities who have been speaking to the media were mentioned specifically within the letter, and I'd rather not go into greater detail at this point in time."

CFMEU Victorian secretary Bill Oliver last week said he had received two death threats but he had shrugged off the emails.

However, Acting Sen Sgt Gale told reporters police had no ongoing concerns for the security of CFMEU workers following Monday's incident.

The union did not comment on the hoax.

"It's in the hands of police now," a CFMEU spokeswoman said.

She said the incident would have no impact on planned mediation talks with Grocon due to begin on Tuesday at Fair Work Australia (FWA).

The union and Grocon agreed to the talks last Thursday, with the union lifting its blockade of Melbourne's Emporium building site.

After the ceasefire was reached, Grocon said the blockade was over for good but the union warned the action might resume if negotiations broke down.

Grocon, with the backing of the Victorian government, is continuing to seek contempt-of-court rulings against the CFMEU over blockades at its Melbourne construction sites and has filed a new, second summons with the Victorian Supreme Court.

The matter is expected to be heard on September 17.

Grocon has maintained the dispute was about an illegal blockade, while the CFMEU maintains it was about the appointment of safety stewards.